01/18/1997 75480

SEWAGE PLANNING SPECIALIST 2

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional work involving the implementation of the Sewage Facilities Act and related program activities within an assigned geographical area of the Commonwealth.

An employee in this class performs a variety of planning and field duties to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the Commonwealths Sewage Facilities Act. Work at this level is differentiated from the lower level by the responsibility for coordinating the review of complex base plan update revisions as an ongoing job assignment. This requires performing the full range of activities in the base planning process, including coordinating the review of the plan among the various technical support staff and ensuring that the approved plan is implemented. Work also includes reviewing and recommending approval or disapproval of sewage planning modules and planning grant applications; conducting site surveys; providing training and consultation to municipal officials, sewage enforcement officers, engineering consultants, surveyors and planning commissions; and evaluating the performance of sewage enforcement officers and local agencies. Work is assigned in the form of goals, objectives and priorities and the employee exercises considerable freedom in scheduling and completing the work. Work is reviewed periodically by a professional supervisor for completeness, technical accuracy and overall quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Performs and coordinates the comprehensive review of complex official sewage plans and base plan update revisions that are characterized by multi-municipality involvement, ongoing enforcement issues, multiple sewer authorities, complicated analyses of various alternatives, funding problems, combined industrial and residential development, and/or political sensitivity; consolidates any comments and concerns expressed by technical support staff; and recommends approval or disapproval to program managers.

Conducts meetings with local agency staff to review planning requirements and to establish plan content, scope and timeframes.

Reviews task/activity reports to screen out costly or unnecessary activities.

Determines if the submitted plan is administratively and technically complete, and requests other technical support staff to participate in the review as required, such as hydrogeologists, soils scientists and engineers.

Renders consistency determinations by comparing the proposed plan with municipal wasteload management plans, the State Water Plan, the municipalitys comprehensive plan, the prime agricultural land policy, wetland protection regulations, protection of rare plant and animal species, and the Historical Preservation Act in order to determine that they are in agreement.

Reviews growth and development projections, and recommends revisions as needed.

Examines the financial aspects of the plan, including the funding mechanisms, user fees and itemized construction costs, and determines their appropriateness.

Evaluates the alternative analyses of various treatment options and determines the feasibility of the proposed course of action.

Reviews the costs incurred in preparing the plan and recommends planning grant reimbursements.

Represents the Department at public hearings and meetings involving the plan.

Reviews proposals for alternate and experimental on-lot sewage disposal systems, and provides results, comments and recommendations to the local agency, sewage enforcement officer and central office staff.

Evaluates the performance of sewage enforcement officers, including reviewing on-lot permits issued and conducting field verifications of site evaluations, and recommends appropriate action to improve performance.

Evaluates the performance of local agencies in fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities under the Sewage Facilities Act and provides technical support to improve their effectiveness, and assists in the formation and development of new multi-municipal agencies.

Provides advice to local agency personnel and sewage enforcement officers on difficult or unusual problems.

Presents training programs to sewage enforcement officers, local agency personnel, installers, engineers, consultants and the public on the planning, siting, design, installation and maintenance of on-lot sewage disposal systems.

Researches case files and prepares documentation for use in prosecution of cases.

Prepares supporting documentation for the revocation or suspension of sewage enforcement officer certifications.

Testifies as a material witness before district magistrates, the State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers, the Environmental Hearing Board, or the courts.

Participates in meetings with legislators, local government officials, special interest groups, and citizens to explain the program and to resolve issues and problems.

Operates a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites.

Performs similar work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the environmental, biological and chemical sciences related to sewage treatment and disposal.

Knowledge of the Commonwealths Sewage Facilities Act.

Knowledge of Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing municipal sewage facilities planning, sewage facility permitting and municipal wasteload management.

Knowledge of municipal government organization and comprehensive municipal planning under the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code.

Knowledge of the principles and techniques for the proper planning, design, siting, installation and maintenance of on-lot sewage disposal systems.

Knowledge of the procedures used in the review of planning grant applications and reimbursement requests.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used in the review and evaluation of sewage planning modules and official base plan update revisions.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used in conducting sewage facility planning alternative evaluations and environmental assessments.

Skill in the identification and characterization of soils, wetlands and other site conditions.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to review and evaluate sewage planning modules for new land development.

Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the sewage facilities program within an assigned area through the evaluation of sewage enforcement officers and local agencies.

Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate engineering and surveying plans and specifications submitted with sewage planning modules and official base plan updates.

Ability to deliver effective presentations and training sessions for a wide range of audiences, including municipal officials, sewage enforcement officers, consultants, developers, planners, landowners and the public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, legislators, county and municipal officials, sewage enforcement officers, consultants, developers, planners, funding agencies and the public.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years as a Sewage Planning Specialist 1;

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Any equivalent combination of experience or training which affords the applicant the required knowledges, skills and abilities.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid Pennsylvania drivers license.